For the first time, messaging app Snapchat is the preferred social network for teens, according to a survey from research firm Piper Jaffray.

The survey, which polled 6,500 teens in the U.S., found Snapchat used surged this spring, with 28% of them claiming it's the most important social network. Closely behind is Facebook-owned photo sharing app Instagram at 27%.

The results mark a major shift between the two rising social networks. Last fall, 33% of teens said Instagram was most important, followed by Snapchat at 19%.

Both apps are "in a class of their own" compared to their rivals, according to Piper Jaffray. Twitter was third on the list at 18%, followed by Facebook at 17%. Tumblr, owned by Yahoo, was a distant fifth at 2%.

"In the mind of teens and their social lives, there is a clear division of Snapchat and Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and everyone else in social," said Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster.

Since launching in 2011, Snapchat has surged in popularity. More than 100 million users visit the messaging app, and its ability to reach a younger audience has drawn interest from advertisers and media. According to Snapchat, more than 60% of smartphone users in the U.S. between 13 and 34 use the app.

Video is increasingly popular on Snapchat, too. The app's 8 billion daily video views put it on par with social networking giant Facebook.

Snapchat's early success has also drawn eye-popping valuations in Silicon Valley. Last May, Snapchat raised $538 million in a funding round valuing the company at $16 billion.

As for Facebook, Munster says investors shouldn't panic over the site's fourth-place standing among teens, noting the social network gained share. "Facebook lost its top spot among teens over three years ago and has gone on to produce strong double digit year-over-year growth in that period off a large base."

Meanwhile, Apple remains a hot tech brand among teens. The survey found 69% of teens already own an iPhone, while 75% say the iPhone will be their next smartphone purchase. Interest in the Apple Watch is far lower, with 10% of teens saying they plan to buy one.